Eric Bledsoe has had a breakout season with the Phoenix Suns, receiving increased playing time and general usage.

Bledsoe will be a restricted free agent in the offseason.

"We'll have no problem stepping up and paying Eric whatever it takes to keep him," said Ryan McDonough.

"We feel like we're holding the cards with Eric, and more importantly, I think Eric's had a good experience here so far."

The New York Knicks have signed forward Jeremy Tyler of the Erie BayHawks, and waived guard Chris Smith.

Tyler, 6-10, 250-pounds, has averaged 18.0 points, on 47.8-percent shooting, and 10.2 rebounds over 31.0 minutes in six games (all starts) with the BayHawks. He originally signed with New York on Aug. 6, after playing for the Knicks’ entry in NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, NV, and was waived on Oct. 25 while recovering from a broken right fifth metatarsal. 

Smith, 6-0, 200-pounds, signed with New York on Sep. 10, and appeared in two games, playing two minutes. He was assigned to Erie on Nov. 18, where he played six games before being recalled on Dec. 17.

Jeremy Tyler reached completion on his deal with the New York Knicks on Monday afternoon, and the center is expected to receive an opportunity in the playing rotation this week, sources said.

Tyler signed a partially guaranteed contract with the Knicks in the offseason, but he was a final cut before the regular season due to a fracture in his right foot. He's healed since and joined the Knicks’ Development League affiliate, the Erie BayHawks, where he averaged 18 points and 10.2 rebounds over six games.

Tyler bolsters a frontcourt that has dealt with widespread injury issues, including Tyson Chandler missing an extended stretch and Amar’e Stoudemire and Kenyon Martin on minutes restrictions.

Tyler was a second round pick in 2011, and the 22-year-old spent parts of two seasons with the Golden State Warriors and Atlanta Hawks. Tyler had played in Japan out of his junior year in high school, prior to placing his name into the NBA Draft.

The New York Knicks will waive Chris Smith.

Smith is the younger brother of J.R. Smith.

Smith's contract for the 13-14 NBA season is already fully guaranteed.

Smith played in just two games with the Knicks this season, along with an additional six in the D-League with the Erie BayHawks.

Lance Stephenson will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason and his value to the Indiana Pacers continues to increase.

The Pacers will have Paul George on the first year of his extension, along with big deals for Roy Hibbert, David West and George Hill, which will make signing Stephenson problematic even with Danny Granger's deal expiring.

Rival executives anticipate Stephenson receiving offers in the $7 million to $9 million range per season in the open market.

The New York Knicks are discussing re-signing Jeremy Tyler, according to a source.

Tyler is playing for the Knicks' D-League affiliate, but remains an NBA free agent.

The Knicks could wait until Jan. 5 when 10-day contracts can be signed.

Tyler was cut at the end of training camp in a controversial move in which the Knicks kept Chris Smith.

The Los Angeles Clippers and Miami Heat would have interest in signing Andrew Bynum if he is released by the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Cavaliers have suspended Bynum indefinitely for conduct detrimental to the team. The Cavaliers are searching for a trade of Bynum before Jan. 7 when the remaining $6.2 million of his $12.2 million contract becomes guaranteed.

Bynum has dealt with chronic knee problems.

The Chicago Bulls remain determined to keep Luol Deng and hope to re-sign him in the offseason.

Deng will be a free agent in the offseason and the two sides broke off extension talks before the start of the season.

Deng has been mentioned in trade rumors with several teams.

In an interview that aired over the weekend, but was taped a month ago, Carmelo Anthony spoke openly about his admiration for the success of the Miami Heat in constructing a Big 3.

“They were smart,” Anthony said. “I think it’s smart. It was their choice.”

Anthony will opt out of his contract to become a free agent on July 1.

“I’m not saying I want to go somewhere else,” Anthony said. “When I first got to New York I always told myself it would be a three- to 3½-year plan just to rebuild. I knew we took a step backwards as an organization for me to get here. So we had to rebuild.

“You’re not going to build a mansion in a year or two years. It takes time. That’s where I’m at right now.”

The Memphis Grizzlies will sign Seth Curry.

Curry is averaging 21.3 points and 7.8 assists per game for the Santa Cruz Warriors of the D-League.

Curry will arrive in Memphis on Monday.